An interview with Ed Gwynn, Producer of Janes Fleet Command.

When did the idea of FC originate and how long has it been in development?

Ed: After Sonalysts completed 688I we began working on a followup, but we decided to move away from single vessel concentration into a more strategic game. That evolved into Fleet Command.

Some months ago I wrote an editorial on a new genre that was blending real time strategy and simulation. This seems like a new direction for simulation makers, and Wargasm and Fleet Command seem to be good examples. At the moment, Fleet Command allows a real time 3d perspective but only third person control. Will the game stay this way or what is the conception with regard to inter operability? Will 688I be inter-operable at some point?

Ed: We haven't really made a decision on this, although we'll be keeping our ears open to the response of the players. 688I could be made inter-operable.

As a strategy game it sounds cool, but to allow the addition of a theatre commander mode where one player determines strategy and others fly the missions or command the sub would be very cool. Personally, I'm hoping to see an F18 add on and perhaps the original AEGIS idea become inter-operable sims with Fleet Command. Let's get the detail and system guys involved in game play with the strategic crowd.

Let's talk about the game itself. Tell us about the campaign structure. And is it dynamic?

Ed: There are four different areas, and in each area specific tasks are required of you in order to move on to the next area. The campaign is semi-dynamic, with elements of randomness and probabilities of what will occur.

What connects the missions? And how long will it take the average player to work his way through the entire campaign?

Ed: There aren't individual missions in the usual sense, where you get a briefing and are in port and then have to traverse again. The gameplay continues between scenarios, and intel comes to you via datalink and radio so that you can move between encounters and areas.

The average player will take thirty plus hours to complete the campaign.

Throughout the campaign, is the order of battle preserved and is there resource management? Are resupply/port of call part of the campaign?

Ed: Restock and refuel are transparent for the naval assets, and your air assets will have to land to refuel when they are low. If your carrier has a damaged deck, this would be a problem. If you've lost a lot of aircraft, you're in trouble.

Of course, you may be offered reinforcements. But if you receive notice that they are incoming and don't provide proper escort, you could lose them. You only have so many ships and aircraft, so its up to you to use them wisely and to protect them.

How persistent is the world across the four areas?

Ed: There is some persistence. If you have taken minor damage it might be repaired by the time you reach the next area. But more serious damage will still be with you, and you may have to wait for parts to be supplied.

Click to continue . . .

How is intel transmitted to the player? Are there AWACS calls?

Ed: Yes, you'll launch your surveillance aircraft and helicopters from your ships. You would be wise to protect vital assets like AWACS since they are your eyes in the sky. Of course, you'll also get reports from your other airborn assets.

How are we notified of an incoming force?

Ed: Your surveillance systems are data linked so your tactical map stays current. And if your F14s run across an incoming enemy that wasn't on your map you'll get a radio call. Once spotted the incoming force will also appear on your tactical map.

Is there other voice interaction?

Ed: Yes, we've implemented the radio chatter. When a flight is engaging you will hear the calls, as well as many others.

How many hands will we need for Fleet Command? Will I have to issue every order to engage?

Ed: We've wrestled with drawing the lines in this area. We want the player to play the game, but we don't want the player to have to issue every command, dropping chaff and flares and evading, for instance.

There will be some cases where your aircraft will engage without your command, but mostly we want to leave control in the hands of the player.

How does the control interface work? How much systems management must we do? Can you sketch the command options for an F18?

Ed: The interface is drag and drop so it's very user friendly. When you click on an F18 you have selected the unit and now have control. You can also lassoo a group of aircraft to issue a command to the entire flight.

Once you have control, you can issue a variety of commands: escort, engage, ID, patrol, transit , RTB, and return to station. This last command allows you to get your aircraft or flight back into a pre determined position if you have sent them off to engage or ID a target.

We also allow micro management for those who desire it. So you can right click on many objects to bring up a drop down menu: engage with a specific weapon, turn radar on and off, etc. And we have short cut keys that allow you to adjust speed and altitude, but you'll find the AI does a good job of this.

And weather!

Go to Part II